100 years ago on 12 October 1917
my grandfather’s brother, Sam, died in the mud at Passchendaele.
Three days before he died in Belgium he wrote his last
letter to his nephew, also called Sam. This is what
he wrote:
“9 October 1917
My Dear Sam
I was very pleased to receive
your most interesting letter and to hear you had seen the battle pictures and
tanks. You ask me if I have seen them. Yes I have been in action with them
twice but they are too slow for us we usually have them far behind. We have
just been in a big push and you will see by the papers captured a lot of prisoners,
but there were a lot more killed than captured. They surrender at the first
chance, and a more miserable lot you never saw, a lot of them are mere boys
from about fifteen to eighteen and seemed very pleased to get out of it. The
ground we advanced over was a horrible sight being covered with dead and
nothing but deep shell holes from our guns. We have been relieved for a few
days. But we are into it again shortly. It is a great pity that the weather has
broken as it may stop the advance and is not too comfortable laying in shell
holes when you are wet through. Myself and two more fellows were in a shell
hole for three days and nights and during the day time we could not show a
finger. That is the time when hours a like days. I haven’t seen Addie’s brother
“Frank” yet, but I saw her brother Bill the other day for a few minutes. I
could not say much to him, we being on the march, but I expect to see him again
shortly. Tell Dad I have not seen Stringleman since the beginning of last
August and have not seen Wilson or Newman at all. I often see Bruce Harris, he
being attached to my Battalion now. Do you remember him? He used to be postman
at Riccarton. Bob Raxworthy is wounded and the two eldest boys killed. I
haven’t heard how the others got on in this last stint. I shall have to close
now, dinner being about ready, and if a man doesn’t get in early he misses his
whack. Love to all.
Your affectionate Uncle Sam”
Lest We Forget
Peter Townsend
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